Micheli L J, Hall J E, Miller M E
Am J Sports Med. 1980 Sep-Oct;8(5):351-6. doi: 10.1177/036354658000800511.
The Boston Brace System was developed to attain functional realignment of the scoliotic spine. This system uses prefabricated thermoplastic pelvic modules which can be rapidly fitted to an individual patient. These modules are available in 20 sizes and designed with a forward flexion of 30 degrees on the anterior margin and 15 degrees on the posterior surface. The resultant antilordotic straightening of the lumbar spine is important in correcting the scoliotic spine and has been found to be therapeutically effective in managing a number of other conditions of the spine, including back injuries in the young athlete. A review of the results of treatment of 31 young athletes for back injuries over the past 3 years with the brace, with an average followup of 15 months, reveals good or excellent results in 28 of the 31, or 90%. Best results were attained in spondylolysis. Therapy for discogenic back pain with the brace was effective in only 50%. Modifications of initial brace design included changing from a posterior opening to an anterior opening module and from polypropylene to polyethylene brace construction. Most patients have continued full athletic participation while in the brace.
波士顿支具系统的研发目的是实现脊柱侧弯的功能复位。该系统使用预制的热塑性骨盆模块，可快速适配个体患者。这些模块有20种尺寸，前缘设计有30度的前屈，后表面设计有15度的前屈。由此产生的腰椎前凸矫正对纠正脊柱侧弯很重要，并且已发现对治疗多种其他脊柱疾病有效，包括年轻运动员的背部损伤。回顾过去3年使用该支具治疗31名年轻运动员背部损伤的结果，平均随访15个月，31例中有28例（即90%）取得了良好或优异的效果。脊椎峡部裂的治疗效果最佳。使用该支具治疗椎间盘源性背痛的有效率仅为50%。初始支具设计的改进包括从后开口模块改为前开口模块，以及从聚丙烯支具结构改为聚乙烯支具结构。大多数患者在佩戴支具期间仍能继续全面参与体育运动。
